Influenza Treatment

Influenza is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system and can be caused by any one of a host of different viruses. Each of these viruses leads to different strains of influenza. Infection involving fever and body ache is often termed as flu or influenza but that is not the case. Infection that affects the respiratory organs like the lungs, bronchial tubes, and the nose is usually termed as flu. This flu is also accompanied by other symptoms like fever, body ache, and a runny nose.

There can be other symptoms too based on which kind of flu virus it might be. Influenza and the common cold often present similar symptoms in the early stages and so an early diagnosis is very important. Common cold treatment and influenza home treatment includes drinking plenty of hot fluids and taking warm steam to relieve the stuffy feeling and getting plenty of rest. The treatment for influenza may include these measures but it may also include several other treatment methods such as antiviral medications. There are some influenza treatment guidelines to ensure that the patient recovers and the infection does not spread. The influenza virus is very contagious and so it is important that the patient is kept isolated. Influenza treatment options include many medical and home treatments. There are drugs but every day new influenza viruses are discovered that are drug resistant. One of the main influenza virus treatments includes providing relief for the symptoms while the body fights the virus. Drugs are also an important influenza virus treatment. Oseltamivir is one of the most popular drugs to treat the influenza virus. There are even vaccines to combat influenza which can act as prevention for the influenza virus. There are specific drugs to treat specific flu viruses that have spread in the last few decades like the avian flu, the bird flu and the most recent, the swine flu. There has been a lot of research worldwide as scientists try to find a universal influenza cure as well as a universal influenza prevention method.

Influenza Symptoms

Seasonal influenza symptoms are similar to the regular influenza virus symptoms. The symptoms begin with a fever, which is followed by extreme fatigue. The third stage of the flu causes a stuffy nose and a sore throat along with body aches. The person suffering can also develop eye infections and conjunctivitis and for such influenza symptoms, the duration of the infection would vary from person to person. Influenza symptoms include headaches and body rashes. Other influenza virus symptoms include gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, nausea, and stomach disorders. The treatment of influenza depends on relieving the symptoms of the infections usually. Influenza symptoms in children include symptoms of flu that appear in adults. Common symptoms are cold, fever and body ache. If you see bluish or purple skin on your child, does not have tears while crying especially in the case of infants, has a rash with fever and does not wake up easily, you might want to see medical attention for your child. The duration of the symptoms in influenza can be anything between 24 hours to 48 hours to one to five days depending on the intensity of the symptoms. If the patient starts coughing up blood or blood-stained phlegm, it is a symptom that the influenza virus is serious and medical attention is needed. If a family member is suffering from this condition, it is important to discuss influenza symptoms and treatment as well as prevention with your doctor. This will ensure that you are able to treat the patient without exposing the rest of your family to the infection.

Influenza Facts

Facts and figures of influenza tell us that it is one of the most common viruses to cause an annual epidemic. It is more common during the winters. This form of illness has a high mortality rate and can affect both adults and children.
Influenza virus facts show us there three predominant types of influenza viruses. These types are A, B and C. Virus types A and B are largely what cause influenza in humans. Virus C is not tracked as much as virus A and B. One of the influenza facts are that people suffering from any chronic condition that weakens the immune system are more susceptible to repeated influenza attacks. Influenza is the sixth leading cause of death in America. Influenza can also result in health complications, if not treated in time. Some of these complications are viral pneumonia, asthma, croup or a form of bronchitis, inflammation of the muscles, rare miscarriages in pregnant women, kidney failure and sometimes, even neurological disasters. To prevent the spread of influenza in kids, Center for Disease Control or the CDC says that every child between 6 months and 18 years of age. Drugs are also used to treat influenza in children who are over 1 year in age. One of the most common cure and prevention mechanism is the influenza virus vaccine. Every year there are new influenza viruses that are discovered which are drug resistant and therefore, there are new vaccines every year. You can also ensure that your child learns basic cleanliness habits in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Influenza facts for kids should include information on how easily the condition can spread and how it can even spread through the use of contaminated items.

Influenza Causes

Influenza causes and symptoms are primarily linked to the speed of the virus spreading. When a person suffering from this viral infection sneezes or coughs, the virus is expelled from his body. Those that are nearest to the individual may inhale this virus laden air and thus the virus is transmitted. When the symptoms start to manifest, home remedies and over-the-counter remedies are used to treat and bring relief from the symptoms. Simple pain medicines and regular fever lowering medication like paracetamol and ibuprofen help with beginning symptoms of flu. Make sure that you get a complete physical checkup along with a definite diagnosis to make sure that you are suffering from influenza and not the common cold. Certain antiviral drugs may be effective in treating influenza but if your condition is caused by a virus strain that is resistant to the medication, you may require stronger antibiotics. Excess medication, especially if it is incorrect medication, can cause all kinds of other complications. Sometimes antibiotics can help the secondary infections resulting from the influenza virus. The best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated against it. After two weeks from vaccination, the anti bodies that fight influenza can be found in the blood and this helps to prevent future influenza infections.

Submitted on January 16, 2014